Ep544: Zakk Wylde - Ozzy's Final Chapter, Pantera's Future, and Black Label Society

Ep544: Zakk Wylde - Ozzy's Final Chapter, Pantera's Future, and Black Label Society

Author: The Vinyl Guide April 8, 2026 Duration: 21:18

Zakk Wylde opens up about Ozzy's final show, the 17 days that followed, Dimebag's unfinished recordings, and the making of Black Label Society's crushing new album Engines of Demolition.

Topics Include:

  • Zakk runs on 14 pots of Valhalla coffee every single day.
  • He was invited to Back to the Beginning well in advance.
  • Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, and Ritchie Blackmore are mythical heroes to Zakk.
  • No More Tears was rehearsed but Ozzy pulled it on the day.
  • Ozzy was giddy meeting Axl Rose — couldn't believe it was happening.
  • Zakk watched Sabbath's final set alongside Axl Rose and Sharon Osbourne.
  • Just 17 days after the show, Ozzy passed away unexpectedly.
  • They'd been texting memes and planning another record together right until the end.
  • Zakk envisioned a global Back to the Beginning charity tour series.
  • A sober Zakk and Ozzy watched their blasted crew destroy a Tokyo restaurant.
  • Dimebag left hours of unfinished song ideas on tape for potential release.
  • Playing Dime's solos means staying faithful — like Stevie Ray covering Hendrix.
  • Zakk and Eddie Van Halen's amp, calling it life-altering history.
  • Engines of Demolition was built across several years alongside the Pantera Celebration tour.
  • Zakk confirms BLS, Zakk Sabbath, and more Pantera shows are all coming.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
Podcast Episodes
Ep547: Greg Ginn - Black Flag, SST Records [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:13
In a rare interview, Greg Ginn opens up about the latest Black Flag lineup, the SST catalogue, the possibility of long-overdue reissues and the legacy of one of punk's most beloved bands. Tickets for Black Flag's 2026 Au…
Ep546: One-Step Audiophile Vinyl w Tom Grover Biery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:35
From funding the first Record Store Day to producing limited one-step pressings of Pet Sounds, Prince, and Dr. Dre, Tom "Grover" Biery is one of the most influential figures in modern vinyl culture - Hear all about his n…
Ep545: Zev Feldman Returns for Record Store Day 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:24
Zev Feldman returns to reveal 11 Record Store Day 2026 releases, including stunning discoveries from the legendary Joe Siegel Jazz Showcase tape archive featuring Ahmad Jamal, Yusef Lateef, Freddie King, and more never-b…
Ep543: Remembering Rozz Williams & Christian Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Rikk Agnew, James McGearty, and David Glass share stories about Rozz Williams & Christian Death, the making of Only Theater of Pain, and completing his final recorded wish with the new song Flowers. Tickets for April 18…
Ep542: Music Documentary Producer Jeanne Elfant Festa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:45
Documentary producer & record collector Jeanne Elfant Festa has made films about The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Pavarotti, Bee Gees and more. Today she discusses her latest movie on Billy Preston — revealing rare archive foo…
Ep541: TV Smith - 50 Years of The Adverts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
TV Smith joins Nate to discuss the 50th anniversary of The Adverts, an Australian tour backed by The Hard-Ons, and a career full of great songs and terrible label luck. Topics Include: TV Smith is touring Australia in Ap…
Ep540: Swami John Reis - Record Collector [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:37
Swami John Reis of Rocket from the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu digs deep on record collecting, the thrill of the hunt, running Swami Records, and why the next release always matters most. Get yer tix to the Punk Rock Museu…
Ep539: Dr Strange Records' Summer Bash Festival [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
Dr. Strange Records' Bill Plaster talks Summer Bash and the chaos of booking a festival, punk history, record collecting, Live Strange, and how punk rock can genuinely change lives. Get Summer Bash tix here | Follow Dr S…
Ep538: John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants Returns! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants talks rare vinyl rarities, the chaotic story behind the new album's cover art, why re-recording old music is almost always a mistake and lots more Order the new album "The World Is…
Ep537: Bongo Fury at 50 – Zappa, Beefheart and the Vaultmeister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:16
Zappa Vaultmeister Joe Travers discusses the Bongo Fury box set, the Frank and Beefheart origin story, Frank's cutting edge approach and what may be next from the Zappa Universe. Order the Zappa/Beefheart Bongo Fury 50th…